Hottest 80s Rock Stars

One of my possible topics for this guest post was to come up with a list of the hottest 80s rock stars. Hello? Has someone been reading my diary? This is a job tailor-made (Taylor-made?) for me, since I enjoy making lists, love rock stars, and am a total 80s girl. In the interest of fairness, I posed the question to Twitter so that we did not end up with a list in which John Taylor occupied spaces 1 through 10. I’m glad I did, because I got lots of suggestions, some of which were great, and some of which I dismissed with a sound along the lines of, “Pfft”. Just because I asked for everyone’s opinion does not make this a democracy.

Without further ado, here’s my list of the Top 10 Hottest 80s Rock Stars. (Dear VH1, yes I am interested in making this into a show. Call me.)

John Taylor (Duran Duran). Most people who know me are rolling their eyes right now, since my love for JT is well-documented and is, in fact, part of the inspiration behind my new book, Bring Me Back. I will say in my defense that this was also the most popular answer on Twitter. Might have to do with the fact that I’m friends with about 500 Duranies. Still, the people have spoken and Mr. Square Jaw Devastating Smile Kill Me With That Accent has won. Hands down.

Simon LeBon (Duran Duran). Mr. LeBon was a close second to JT in the Twitter voting. I’ve never been a Simon girl, he just doesn’t do it for me, but if you needle me about it, I will admit that I understand the appeal. He is charming and a commanding presence, after all. I will note that if Simon does not shave his ridiculous mustache (Google it) in the next six months, I will be forced to revoke his second place showing on this list.

Michael Hutchence (INXS). It makes me so sad to think that Michael Hutchence is no longer with us. He definitely left this planet far too early and music hasn’t been quite the same since. I suggest we remember him as he was when he was here, full of life and criminally sexy. I sigh just thinking about those dark eyes and that little head bob of his, usually unaccompanied by artful shoulder shrugging.

The Edge (U2). I’m going to get endless crap for this, because a lot of people voted for Bono. The problem is that the vote always came with a caveat of some sort—pre 1985, not in the “New Years Day” video, etc. Come on, people! Either you’re hot or you’re not. There’s something very hot about the quiet brilliance of The Edge, methodically killing every guitar line, stoically taking a backseat to the guy who has to be the center of attention.

Jon Bon Jovi. Ah, JBJ. I was never exceedingly keen on his music, but he is most certainly a very attractive man with a smile that could melt snow in January. I much prefer the present-day version of JBJ, as the fluffy guitar rock hair never excited me. Bonus points for still being married to his high school sweetheart, Dorothea.

Roger Taylor (Duran Duran). In the interest of full disclosure, Nick Rhodes received just as many votes as Roger, but I had to make the final call. Roger edged out Nick with that damn brilliant smile of his. Gets me every time.

Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran). Before the Nick-ites start sending me pestilent emails, remember that the Internet is a perfect place to state your opinion. If you think I’m wrong, start a blog and make your own list. Until then, Roger still gets higher billing. Nick’s the kind of guy I would love to have a long conversation with, but I don’t find him attractive. Think of it this way: more for you!

Sebastian Bach (Skid Row). ‘Bas earned his Ph.D. in hair flipping at a very early age, as is evidenced in the video for “Youth Gone Wild”. He was a tempting bad boy with a pouty mouth at twenty, but Mr. Bach has not aged well. Too much hard living, I guess.

Bryan Adams. Total crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love a clean-cut guy with a leather jacket and a bit of gravel in his voice? Nobody, that’s who.

George Michael. What do they say about hindsight being 20/20? Lots of Twitter women voted for George Michael, tacking on a bit about how they never had any idea he was gay. Doesn’t matter, does it? He was smoking hot, master of the perfect groomed five o’clock shadow, great dancer, absurdly handsome, amazing butt. Yeah, how did we not know?

Bring Me Back (Excerpt) by Karen Booth

This scene is the morning after Claire has interviewed Christopher. He’s offered to have his driver take her to the airport and he has tagged along.

Once in the car, he made my lightheaded by removing his sunglasses. “You should call me,” he said. “If you have any follow up questions. Hand me your phone. I’ll give you my number.”

I reminded myself to stay cool. “That’d be great.” I couldn’t hand him my phone fast enough. “Now I won’t have to bother your publicist if something comes up when I’m writing the story.”

“The label handles that, but the publicity department hates me. I prefer to deal with most things myself.” He finished with my phone and then pulled out his own. “I’m going to take your number. So we’re even.” He winked at me while I impolitely stared. “Call me if you need anything. You know all of my deep dark secrets. We may as well be friends.” He returned my phone. “Here. I put it under Chris P.”

I looked down as though the item in my hand was a mystery. “Wow.”

“Wow?” He crinkled his forehead. “Don’t say wow. I like talking to you. You’re different from most women I meet.” He scanned my face, resting his eyes on mine more than once. “I find you, uh, refreshing.” He looked satisfied with his word choice, but I could’ve suggested a few alternates.

“Refreshing?”

“It’s a compliment. I enjoy your company. Most women I meet are rather one dimensional.”

“Maybe you’re hanging out with the wrong women.”

“You know I’ve been hanging out with the wrong women. I believe we touched on that last night.”

I considered the topic—I didn’t want to cross a line, but this was a chance to ask something I’d always wondered about men like him. I looked at him while searching for the right words. “Why do men like you only end up with women who are beautiful, but lacking in other qualities like intelligence or sanity?”

He smiled wide at me, letting me squirm in my seat. “We’re having a normal conversation as friends, right?”

“Right.” Except that nothing about this conversation is normal.

“Honestly, those are the only women I meet. Most women wouldn’t have the confidence to approach me in that way. They assume I wouldn’t be interested. They might ask for an autograph or take a picture. When I was younger, they’d scream and cry. It’s hard to ask someone out after that. Not that I didn’t like being screamed at, because I did.” He continued, “I suppose it’s because of what I do.”

“Interesting.”

“Please don’t say that. What are you thinking?”

“I’d never thought of it like that. Even though it’d be more fun to call you a jerk, you have a tiny speck of a valid point.”